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UPDATE: Minnesota woman killed in Pierce County crash

Posted on Apr 18, 2010 at 8:42 p.m.

The passenger on a motorcycle struck by a car late Saturday morning in Western Pierce County died hours after the crash.

According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, the operator of the motorcycle, William G. Sobania, 48, of Oakdale, Minn., was traveling north on Hwy. 35 when the cycle was struck by a car driven by Amy J. Raymo, 31, of River Falls.

Raymo had been traveling south on CTH E in the Town of Oak Grove, but stopped at the intersection with 35. Raymo then pulled out onto 35 and her vehicle struck the motorcycle at 11:23 a.m.

Sobania and his passenger, Lori A. Sobania, 50, also of Oakdale, Minn., were ejected from the motorcycle. William Sobania was airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul and Lori Sobania was transported by ambulance to the same hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 2 p.m. A Regions spokesperson said Monday afternoon William Sobania was in serious condition.

Raymo and a passenger in her vehicle, Sandra J. Raymo, 55, River Falls, were transported to River Falls Area Hospital. Both had been treated and released as of Monday afternoon.

The crash remained under investigation early this week. Sheriff Nancy Hove said alcohol was not a factor and neither of the Sobanias was wearing a helmet.

Flood Run

Saturday was one of the highest traffic days in the county all year, as an estimated 25,000 motorcyclists came through as part of the Spring Flood Run, the bi-annual event benefitting Gillette Children's Hospital.

Various establishments along the Great River Road were offering discounts for riders, which caused for a busy day for Hove and her crew, she said.

The fatality was the only serious accident of the day, she added, but there were other reported accidents near Holst Hill, CTH S and one just into Pepin County.

She said a common cause of the other accidents was the same as the fatality: vehicles pulling out in front of motorcycles.